Botella al mar...

English translation: Message in a bottle...

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21:11 Apr 29, 2001

Spanish to English translations [PRO]Art/Literary

Spanish term or phrase:Botella al mar...

I'm a fellow-translator looking for an existing translation into English of "Botella al mar para el dios de las palabras" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. This is an 1997 essay.
I've had no luck yet. Your guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Explanation:I agree with previous respondants that this not-so-literal translation is much more meaningful in English. I looked at the website quoted in the first response, and I have to say that I found the English translation to be very poorly done. There are obvious errors, such as "señor cura" being translated as "gentleman cures" when "cura" is obviously referring to a priest in this case. Unfortunately, all of the websites that I found, even ones with English translations posted, had just as many errors. Maybe a book would have it?

The Day Mexico, 8 of April of 1997
Express his opinion in our forum on the new spelling of the Real Spanish Academy

To my twelve years of age I was on the verge of being run over by a bicycle. A gentleman cures that he happened saved to me with a shout: Taken care of! The cyclist fell to earth. The gentleman cures, without stopping, said me: He already saw what is the power of the word? That day I knew it. Now we know, in addition, that the Mayans knew it from the times of Christ, and with as much rigor, that they had a special God for the words.

Explanation:I agree with previous respondants that this not-so-literal translation is much more meaningful in English. I looked at the website quoted in the first response, and I have to say that I found the English translation to be very poorly done. There are obvious errors, such as "señor cura" being translated as "gentleman cures" when "cura" is obviously referring to a priest in this case. Unfortunately, all of the websites that I found, even ones with English translations posted, had just as many errors. Maybe a book would have it?

Explanation:PS - if you don't speak Spanish and need a translation for your own reading, let me know - I particularly love to translate poetry and wouldn't mind translating such a short poem just for fun! It's a good one.